I'm sure I could take down my SKS, M1 Carbine, and CZ52 blindfolded, and could do the same with the Mosin (as long as the barrel bands are already off). Like it's been said, most of your Eastern European weaponry is made to be as simple and rugged as possible. The AK and it's variants are simple enough for an illiterate 7 year old kid from Afghanistan to take down, clean, and shoot (although not accurately) in just a matter of seconds. I'm a fast learner so if I was shown how to take down and care for many of these weapons once or twice then I could care for them. Also most of your Com-Bloc weapons share design similarities, just by knowing the process of the SKS take down I have a good grasp on the AK take down, so that's another plus.

Sent from my iPhone using Firearms Talk

__________________
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. - Sir Winston Churchill
Americans love to fight. All real Americans love the sting of battle. - General George S. Patton Sr.

I think it goes way beyond just firearms. It's wise to become reasonably proficient at as many necessary tasks as possible. How many seemingly macho guys can't change a tire, operate a winch, get the furnace working, repair plumbing, add an electrical circuit or repair wiring, etc.? If things go south, the more you can do with your hands and tools the more likely you are to survive.

As far as firearms, I feel fairly competent in most that I'm likely to stumble across while running from the zombies. I expect that'll have to do!

__________________
______
The biggest issue with assembling an AR isn't so much getting the parts together right - it's getting the right parts together.
________________________________________
US Army 1966-69, VFW Life Member, Retired Geek

I dunno.. not too many exotic weapons around here used by criminals or .govs.

I am quite proficient with the M4/M16/Ar15 of course and have Operator knowledge of AKM's but that's it.
I agree with the OP its a useful skill but I think not a critical one I am going to obsess over....

....if I win the firefight then I will still have my own weapon, if I lose then I no longer need a rifle.

So to avoid losing the firefight I will focus my training time on getting better and better with my platform of choice.

I think it goes way beyond just firearms. It's wise to become reasonably proficient at as many necessary tasks as possible. How many seemingly macho guys can't change a tire, operate a winch, get the furnace working, repair plumbing, add an electrical circuit or repair wiring, etc.? If things go south, the more you can do with your hands and tools the more likely you are to survive.

As far as firearms, I feel fairly competent in most that I'm likely to stumble across while running from the zombies. I expect that'll have to do!

Not a lot of street criminals here with RPGs. As far as anyone can use-
1. What happens if you fire one from the left shoulder?
2. 10 mph wind from right to left. Target at 300 meters. For windage, do you hold to the right or left of target, and why?

1)I'm better with right shoulder, but not that much
2)Simple:I'll hold to the right.The wind may affect the bullet trajectory and I must compensate.If I hold the crosshair on the target(with no compensation), the bullet will go to left(I'll miss the target).

-AKM-VEPR-GALIL-AK74-RK 62-Zastava M76-SIG 556- Are all so similar that they may as well be considered variations of the same basic platform.

The Dragunov is very similar as well with the exception of the gas system, and the SKS and VZ58 are not that far off, that mastery of the above guns would take much effort to get a basic understanding of.

As medical personnel I only have knowledge of crew served weapons that I took the initiative to get trained on, So, the M60, Mk43 and Mk46 and M2 are about all I have familiarization with. No real exposure to operation of foreign crew served, or belt fed weapons.

Most everything else on teh list I've encountered at full auto shoots, familiarization firings, or just other guys at the range, in semi-auto form. Basic principles of operation of most of these platforms are pretty similar and would not require a genius to figure out the basic maintenence requirements. (again refering to the non crew served weapons.)

So...In you opinion you would be able to use let's say a vz58 as a checz soldier or specialist?I don't know...I'm used to "try it first and talk later"